Dissociative amnesia with fugue following a suicide attempt: a rare clinical intersection of identity loss and suicidal ambivalence: a case report
By
Mohammed Salah Alfahal
Mohamed Hassan
Maryam Alowais
June 11, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Dissociative Amnesia with Fugue Following a Suicide Attempt: A Unique Case of Identity Disruption and Suicidal Ambivalence
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Dissociative Amnesia with Fugue Key Mechanisms Disruption of autobiographical memory and personal identity due to severe psychological stress. Target Population Individuals with a history of suicidal behavior and acute psychological crises. Care Setting Psychiatric inpatient setting.
Key Highlights
Profound retrograde autobiographical amnesia following a suicide attempt. Intact semantic memory and general cognition despite identity disruption. Management included supportive psychotherapy and pharmacologic treatment. Diagnosis requires exclusion of organic causes and longitudinal assessment. Dissociative phenomena are linked to elevated suicide risk. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Dissociative amnesia with fugue is a diagnosis of exclusion. Longitudinal clinical observation is essential for accurate diagnosis. Management
Supportive psychotherapy and safety monitoring. Pharmacologic treatment for affective stabilization. Monitoring & Follow-up
Continuous psychiatric assessment during hospitalization. Risks
Potential for diagnostic confusion with other psychiatric or neurological conditions. Patient & Prescribing Data
50-year-old man with no prior psychiatric or neurological history.
Gradual recovery of autobiographical fragments noted during a three-week admission.
Clinical Best Practices
Exclude organic etiologies through comprehensive medical evaluation. Integrate neurobiological, cognitive, and psychodynamic perspectives in treatment. Related Resources & Content
